U.S. patent application number 11/399760 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for audio signal input/output (i/o) system and method for use in guitar equipped with universal serial bus (usb) interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to ESI Professional. Invention is credited to Min-Soo Kim.
Application Number | 20080005411 11/399760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38878180 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080005411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Min-Soo |
January 3, 2008 |
Audio signal Input/Output (I/O) system and method for use in guitar
equipped with Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface
Abstract
An audio I/O system and method for a guitar equipped with a USB
interface is disclosed. The audio I/O system converts an analog
audio signal generated from an electronic guitar into a digital
audio signal using a USB guitar module of the electronic guitar,
performs signal processing on the digital audio signal according to
the USB standard, transmits the signal-processed resultant signal
to a Personal Computer (PC), employs a variety of application
programs stored in the PC, and outputs the corresponding audio
signal via a speaker of the PC. The audio I/O system receives the
mixed/edited signal from the PC, performs signal processing on the
received signal, outputs the corresponding signal via the headphone
or speaker, allows the PC to output pre-stored audio signals of
other guitars, plays the electronic guitar, and stores the played
signal in the PC in real time.
Inventors: |
Kim; Min-Soo; (Incheon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEE, HONG, DEGERMAN, KANG & SCHMADEKA
660 S. FIGUEROA STREET
Suite 2300
LOS ANGELES
CA
90017
US
|
Assignee: |
ESI Professional
|
Family ID: |
38878180 |
Appl. No.: |
11/399760 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
710/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10H 3/188 20130101;
G10H 2240/285 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/062 |
International
Class: |
G06F 13/38 20060101
G06F013/38 |
Claims
1. An audio Input/Output (I/O) system for use in a guitar equipped
with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) comprising: an electronic guitar
including: a USB port to implement a bidirectional USB interface, a
USB guitar module for performing signal processing on a guitar's
audio signal converted into an electrical signal, transmitting the
signal-processed audio signal to the USB port, performing signal
processing on the audio signal received from the USB port, and
outputting the resultant audio signal to the outside, and an audio
cable port in which an audio cable connector can be inserted; and a
Personal Computer (PC) for receiving the audio signal via the USB
guitar module and a USB cable of the electronic guitar, converting
the received audio signal according to a prescribed audio signal
standard, editing/storing the converted audio signal using a
variety of mixing programs and audio edition programs, transmitting
pre-stored audio signals of other electronic guitars to the
electronic guitar via the USB cable and the USB guitar module, and
outputting the resultant audio signal to a speaker and a headphone
via the audio cable of the electronic guitar.
2. The audio Input/Output (I/O) system according to claim 1,
wherein the electronic guitar includes: a signal pickup unit for
converting variations in a magnetic field signal caused by string
vibrations into an electric analog audio signal; a pickup selection
unit for performing a switching operation to output the analog
audio signal picked up by the signal pickup unit to a rear end; an
audio cable port for acting as a connection port of the connector
of the audio cable suitable for 1/4'' TRS standard; a relay for
switching Input/Output (I/O) paths of an audio signal on the
condition that it has been connected to the pickup selection unit,
the audio cable port, an amplifier, and L/R amplifiers; an
amplifier which is connected to the relay and an ADC
(Analog-to-Digital Converter), and amplifies the analog audio
signal received from the relay; an ADC which is connected to the
amplifier and a signal processor, and converts the analog signal
into a digital signal; a signal processor which is connected to the
ADC and a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), receives a digital
audio signal from the ADC, converts the received digital audio
signal into another audio signal according to the prescribed USB
transfer standard, receives the audio signal suitable for the USB
transfer standard from the PC, and converts the received audio
signal into a digital audio signal; an interface unit which is
connected to the signal processor and the USB port, receives
parallel data suitable for the USB transfer standard from the
signal processor, stores the received parallel data in a buffer,
converts the stored parallel data into serial data, transmits the
serial data, converts the serial data received from an external
part into parallel data, and transmits the parallel data to the
signal processor; a USB port which is connected to a rear end of
the interface unit, and transmits the audio signal received from
the interface unit to the PC via the USB cable connector; a DAC
which is connected to the signal processor and the L/R amplifiers,
receives two parallel digital audio data via the signal processor,
and converts the received parallel digital audio data into stereo
analog audio data; and L/R amplifiers which are connected to the
DAC, the relay, and the audio cable port, and amplify the analog
audio signal.
3. The audio Input/Output (I/O) system according to claim 1,
wherein the Personal Computer (PC) includes: a USB port which is
contained in the PC, is connected to the USB cable connector,
receives an audio signal in the PC via the USB cable connector, or
transmits an internal signal of the PC to the electronic guitar via
the USB cable connector; an interface unit which is connected to
the USB port and a USB controller, and communicates with Operating
Systems (OSs) of different hardware architectures; a USB controller
which is connected to the interface unit and a USB audio drive,
converts the audio signal received from the USB port into a signal
usable in a kernel, and transmits a signal used in the kernel into
other signal according to the USB transfer standard; a USB audio
drive which is connected to the USB controller and a data
initialize unit, converts the signal usable in the kernel level
into an audio signal usable in a user level, or converts the audio
signal usable in the user level into the signal usable in the
kernel level; a data initialize unit which is connected to the USB
audio drive and an audio signal processor, initializes the audio
signal according to an international audio application standard,
converts data suitable for the international audio application into
an audio signal, and defines the number of audio channels, an
execution frequency, and a buffer size; and an audio signal
processor which is connected to the data initialize unit, converts
the audio data received from the data initialize unit, tunes
musical sound characteristics of the audio data, records/stores the
audio data, reproduces the stored audio data, converts the stored
audio data, and transmits the resultant audio data to the data
initialize unit.
4. An audio Input/Output (I/O) method for use in a guitar equipped
with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) comprising the steps of: ST-100)
converting a signal of the electronic guitar into other signal
suitable for a USB standard, and transmitting the converted signal
to a Personal Computer (PC); ST-200) converting a guitar's audio
signal received from the PC into another audio signal usable in an
application program; ST-300) editing, mixing, and storing the audio
signal using the application program stored in the PC; ST-400)
transmitting audio data processed by the PC to an electronic
guitar; and ST-500) outputting the audio signal received in the
electronic guitar via an external output unit of the electronic
guitar.
5. The audio Input/Output (I/O) method according to claim 4,
wherein the step (ST-100) includes the steps of: converting
variations in a magnetic field signal caused by string vibration of
the guitar into an analog audio signal; transmitting the analog
audio signal into a relay contained in a USB guitar module, and
transmitting the resultant audio signal to an amplifier according
to a switching operation of the relay; amplifying, by the
amplifier, the analog audio signal received from the relay to an
ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter); converting, by the ADC, the
analog signal received from the amplifier to the digital signal;
converting, by a signal processor, the digital signal received from
the ADC into another audio signal according to the USB transfer
standard; receiving parallel data suitable for the USB transfer
standard in an interface unit, storing the received parallel data
in a buffer, and converting the stored parallel data into serial
data; and receiving the serial data in the USB port, and
transmitting the received serial data to the PC via the USB cable
connector.
6. The audio Input/Output (I/O) method according to claim 4,
wherein the step (ST-200) and the step (ST-300) include the step
of: receiving a signal received from the electronic guitar via a
USB port of the PC; allowing an interface unit to communicate with
Operating Systems (OSs) of different hardware architectures,
allowing a USB controller to receive the signal suitable for the
USB transfer standard from the interface unit, and converting the
received signal into a signal usable in a kernel; allowing a USB
audio drive to receive the signal usable in the kernel, and
converting the received signal into an audio signal usable in a
user level; initializing, by a data initialize unit, the audio
signal according to an international audio application standard;
and converting, by an audio signal processor, the audio data
received from the data initialize unit into another audio data,
tuning musical sound characteristics of the audio data,
recording/storing the audio data, reproducing the stored audio
data, and converting the stored audio data.
7. The audio Input/Output (I/O) method according to claim 4,
wherein the signal transmitted from an audio signal processor of
the PC to a data initialize unit is not equal to an audio signal of
a currently-playing electronic guitar, and other pre-stored audio
signals of other electronic guitars can be transmitted to the data
initialize unit, wherein the audio signal processor outputs the
audio signal stored in the PC to the outside, at the same time
receives the played signal of the electronic guitar, and can store
the played signal in the PC in real time.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an audio Input/Output (I/O)
system and method for use in a guitar equipped with a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface, and more particularly to an audio I/O
system and method for providing a Personal Computer (PC) with
digital audio signals generated by an electronic guitar equipped
with a bi-directional USB interface unit, and storing the digital
audio signals in the PC, at the same time outputting the
aforementioned audio signals or other guitars' audio signals
received from the PC to a speaker or a headphone while a plurality
of electronic guitars are simultaneously played, and more
conveniently employing a variety of audio edition programs
contained in the PC.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As well known in the art, with the increasing development of
electronic communication technologies, data generated from an
auxiliary device is effectively transmitted to a personal computer
(PC), such that a variety of effects unavailable in the auxiliary
device can be accomplished using a variety of edition programs
stored in the PC.
[0005] For example, a digital camera includes a USB port, such that
digital image data captured by the digital camera is transmitted to
the PC via the USB port, such that the image data captured by
various edition programs (e.g., a photoshop) can be edited in
various ways. Therefore, compared with a conventional camera, the
digital camera can quickly upload the captured image to the PC, can
quickly display the updated image on a PC monitor, and can also
quickly use a variety of video edition programs.
[0006] A variety of audio edition programs capable of
editing/mixing a variety of audio signals have been recently
developed. However, in order to employ the above-mentioned audio
edition programs, analog audio data generated from a microphone, a
guitar, or a keyboard instrument should be firstly recorded, the
recorded analog audio data should be converted into digital audio
data via an additional encoder, and the digital audio data should
be transmitted to the PC via an additional interface, such that a
long period of time should be unnecessarily consumed to upload
audio data to the PC.
[0007] Particularly, audio signal generated from a microphone, a
guitar, or a keyboard instrument is configured in the form of an
analog signal, such that a recording process is requisite for the
analog audio signal. Provided that the analog audio signal is not
recorded in a soundproofed recording room wherein the soundproofing
process is completely executed during the recording of the audio
signal, a plurality of noise signals may be further included in the
analog audio signal. In order to solve the above-mentioned
problems, an additional filtering process is required, resulting in
the occurrences of an unnecessary increase of time and costs.
[0008] There has recently been developed a new technique for
including a USB interface in a digital instrument to transmit
digital audio signals generated from a digital keyboard instrument
to a PC via the USB interface. However, the digital keyboard
instrument equipped with the USB interface has been designed to
uni-directionally transmit digital audio signals to the PC via the
USB interface, such that it cannot simultaneously play a plurality
of digital keyboard instruments. In addition, if a digital audio
signal generated from one keyboard instrument is outputted via a
speaker after being stored in the PC, a user must play the other
digital keyboard instrument according to the corresponding digital
audio signal, such that the above-mentioned keyboard instruments
can be simultaneously played in correct rhythm and sound.
Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional art cannot
automatically perform a mixing process in real time, and commands a
PC to perform the mixing process using an additional mixing program
so as to create simultaneous-played audio signals.
[0009] Particularly, a musical instrument (e.g., an electronic
guitar) equipped with the above-mentioned USB interface has not yet
been developed. There must be developed an improved USB interface
for allowing a plurality of electronic guitars to be played in real
time or to simultaneously mix audio signals generated from the
electronic guitars.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide an audio Input/Output (I/O) system and method for use in a
guitar equipped with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, which
provide a Personal Computer (PC) with digital audio signals
generated by an electronic guitar equipped with a bi-directional
USB interface unit, and store the digital audio signals in the PC,
at the same time output the aforementioned audio signals or other
guitars' audio signals received from the PC to a speaker or a
headphone while a plurality of electronic guitars are
simultaneously played, and more conveniently employ a variety of
audio edition programs contained in the PC.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by an audio
Input/Output (I/O) system for use in a guitar equipped with a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) comprising: an electronic guitar
including: a USB port to implement a bidirectional USB interface, a
USB guitar module for performing signal processing on a guitar's
audio signal converted into an electrical signal, transmitting the
signal-processed audio signal to the USB port, performing signal
processing on the audio signal received from the USB port, and
outputting the resultant audio signal to the outside, and an audio
cable port in which an audio cable connector can be inserted; and a
Personal Computer (PC) for receiving the audio signal via the USB
guitar module and a USB cable of the electronic guitar, converting
the received audio signal according to a prescribed audio signal
standard, editing/storing the converted audio signal using a
variety of mixing programs and audio edition programs, transmitting
pre-stored audio signals of other electronic guitars to the
electronic guitar via the USB cable and the USB guitar module, and
outputting the resultant audio signal to a speaker and a headphone
via the audio cable of the electronic guitar.
[0012] Preferably, the electronic guitar includes: a signal pickup
unit for converting variations in a magnetic field signal caused by
string vibrations into an electric analog audio signal; a pickup
selection unit for performing a switching operation to output the
analog audio signal picked up by the signal pickup unit to a rear
end; an audio cable port for acting as a connection port of the
connector of the audio cable suitable for 1/4'' TRS standard; a
relay for switching Input/Output (I/O) paths of an audio signal on
the condition that it has been connected to the pickup selection
unit, the audio cable port, an amplifier, and L/R amplifiers; an
amplifier which is connected to the relay and an ADC
(Analog-to-Digital Converter), and amplifies the analog audio
signal received from the relay; an ADC which is connected to the
amplifier and a signal processor, and converts the analog signal
into a digital signal; a signal processor which is connected to the
ADC and a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), receives a digital
audio signal from the ADC, converts the received digital audio
signal into another audio signal according to the prescribed USB
transfer standard, receives the audio signal suitable for the USB
transfer standard from the PC, and converts the received audio
signal into a digital audio signal; an interface unit which is
connected to the signal processor and the USB port, receives
parallel data suitable for the USB transfer standard from the
signal processor, stores the received parallel data in a buffer,
converts the stored parallel data into serial data, transmits the
serial data, converts the serial data received from an external
part into parallel data, and transmits the parallel data to the
signal processor; a USB port which is connected to a rear end of
the interface unit, and transmits the audio signal received from
the interface unit to the PC via the USB cable connector; a DAC
which is connected to the signal processor and the L/R amplifiers,
receives two parallel digital audio data via the signal processor,
and converts the received parallel digital audio data into stereo
analog audio data; and L/R amplifiers which are connected to the
DAC, the relay, and the audio cable port, and amplify the analog
audio signal.
[0013] Preferably, the Personal Computer (PC) includes: a USB port
which is contained in the PC, is connected to the USB cable
connector, receives an audio signal in the PC via the USB cable
connector, or transmits an internal signal of the PC to the
electronic guitar via the USB cable connector; an interface unit
which is connected to the USB port and a USB controller, and
communicates with Operating Systems (OSs) of different hardware
architectures; a USB controller which is connected to the interface
unit and a USB audio drive, converts the audio signal received from
the USB port into a signal usable in a kernel, and transmits a
signal used in the kernel into other signal according to the USB
transfer standard; a USB audio drive which is connected to the USB
controller and a data initialize unit, converts the signal usable
in the kernel level into an audio signal usable in a user level, or
converts the audio signal usable in the user level into the signal
usable in the kernel level; a data initialize unit which is
connected to the USB audio drive and an audio signal processor,
initializes the audio signal according to an international audio
application standard, converts data suitable for the international
audio application into an audio signal, and defines the number of
audio channels, an execution frequency, and a buffer size; and an
audio signal processor which is connected to the data initialize
unit, converts the audio data received from the data initialize
unit, tunes musical sound characteristics of the audio data,
records/stores the audio data, reproduces the stored audio data,
converts the stored audio data, and transmits the resultant audio
data to the data initialize unit.
[0014] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an audio Input/Output (I/O) method for use in a
guitar equipped with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) comprising the
steps of: ST-100) converting a signal of the electronic guitar into
other signal suitable for a USB standard, and transmitting the
converted signal to a Personal Computer (PC); ST-200) converting a
guitar's audio signal received from the PC into another audio
signal usable in an application program; ST-300) editing, mixing,
and storing the audio signal using the application program stored
in the PC; ST-400) transmitting audio data processed by the PC to
an electronic guitar; and ST-500) outputting the audio signal
received in the electronic guitar via an external output unit of
the electronic guitar.
[0015] Preferably, the step (ST-100) includes the steps of:
converting variations in a magnetic field signal caused by string
vibration of the guitar into an analog audio signal; transmitting
the analog audio signal into a relay contained in a USB guitar
module, and transmitting the resultant audio signal to an amplifier
according to a switching operation of the relay; amplifying, by the
amplifier, the analog audio signal received from the relay to an
ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter); converting, by the ADC, the
analog signal received from the amplifier to the digital signal;
converting, by a signal processor, the digital signal received from
the ADC into another audio signal according to the USB transfer
standard; receiving parallel data suitable for the USB transfer
standard in an interface unit, storing the received parallel data
in a buffer, and converting the stored parallel data into serial
data; and receiving the serial data in the USB port, and
transmitting the received serial data to the PC via the USB cable
connector.
[0016] Preferably, the step (ST-200) and the step (ST-300) include
the step of: receiving a signal received from the electronic guitar
via a USB port of the PC; allowing an interface unit to communicate
with Operating Systems (OSs) of different hardware architectures,
allowing a USB controller to receive the signal suitable for the
USB transfer standard from the interface unit, and converting the
received signal into a signal usable in a kernel; allowing a USB
audio drive to receive the signal usable in the kernel, and
converting the received signal into an audio signal usable in a
user level; initializing, by a data initialize unit, the audio
signal according to an international audio application standard;
and converting, by an audio signal processor, the audio data
received from the data initialize unit into another audio data,
tuning musical sound characteristics of the audio data,
recording/storing the audio data, reproducing the stored audio
data, and converting the stored audio data.
[0017] Preferably, the signal transmitted from an audio signal
processor of the PC to a data initialize unit is not equal to an
audio signal of a currently-playing electronic guitar, and other
pre-stored audio signals of other electronic guitars can be
transmitted to the data initialize unit, wherein the audio signal
processor outputs the audio signal stored in the PC to the outside,
at the same time receives the played signal of the electronic
guitar, and can store the played signal in the PC in real time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an audio I/O
system for use in a guitar equipped with a USB interface in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a guitar equipped with a USB
interface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a Personal Computer
(PC) contained in an audio I/O system for use in a guitar equipped
with a USB interface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an audio I/O system for
use in a guitar equipped with a USB interface in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. In the
drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals even though they are depicted in different
drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of
known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be
omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present
invention rather unclear.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an audio I/O
system for use in a guitar equipped with a USB interface in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an audio I/O system for use in a guitar
equipped with a USB interface according to the present invention
provides a PC with digital audio signals generated by an electronic
guitar equipped with a bi-directional USB interface, and stores the
digital audio signals in the PC, at the same time outputs the
aforementioned audio signals or other guitars' audio signals
received from the PC to a speaker or a headphone while a plurality
of electronic guitars are simultaneously played, and more
conveniently employs a variety of audio edition programs contained
in the PC.
[0026] In order to perform the above-mentioned operations, the
audio I/O system of a guitar equipped with a USB interface includes
an electronic guitar 100 equipped with a bi-directional USB
interface. The electronic guitar 100 includes an audio cable port
102 in which a cable connector 502 of a general audio cable 500 can
be inserted, and includes a USB port 104 in which a cable connector
402 of a USB cable 400 can be inserted.
[0027] The electronic guitar 100 includes a USB guitar module 106.
The USB guitar module 106 performs signal processing on the
guitar's audio signal converted into an electrical signal,
transmits the signal-processed audio signal to the USB port 104,
performs signal processing on the audio signal received from the
USB port 104, and outputs the resultant audio signal to the
outside.
[0028] The audio I/O system for use in a guitar equipped with the
USB interface according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes a Personal Computer (PC) 200. The PC 200
receives an audio signal from the guitar 100 via the USB guitar
module 106 and the USB cable 400, converts the received audio
signal into another audio signal according to the prescribed audio
signal standard, edits/stores the converted audio signal using a
variety of mixing programs and audio edition programs, and
transmits pre-stored audio signals of other electronic guitars to
the electronic guitar 100 via the USB cable 400 and the USB guitar
module 106, such that it outputs the resultant audio signal to the
speaker 300 and a headphone (not shown) via the audio cable 500 of
the electronic guitar 100.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a guitar equipped with a USB
interface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, according to the audio I/O system of
the guitar equipped with the USB interface according to the present
invention, the electronic guitar 100 includes a signal pickup unit
108, a pickup selection unit 110, an audio cable port 102, and a
USB guitar module 106.
[0031] The signal pickup unit 108 converts variations in a magnetic
field signal caused by string vibrations of the guitar into an
analog audio signal. The pickup selection unit 108 outputs the
analog audio signal picked up by the signal pickup unit 108 to the
USB guitar module 106. The audio cable port 102 acts as a
connection port of the connector 502 of the audio cable 500
suitable for 1/4'' TRS standard.
[0032] The USB guitar module 106 includes a relay 112, an amplifier
114, an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 116, a signal processor
118, an interface unit 120, a USB port 104, a Digital-to-Analog
Converter (DAC) 122, a L-amplifier 124a, and a R-amplifier
124b.
[0033] The relay 112 switches I/O paths of an audio signal on the
condition that it has been connected to the pickup selection unit
110, the audio cable port 102, the amplifier 114, and the L/R
amplifiers 124a and 124b. For example, an analog audio signal
generated from the pickup selection unit 110 via the relay 112 is
applied to the amplifier 114, and is transmitted to the PC 200 via
the amplifier 114. The audio signal received from the PC 200 is
transmitted to the outside via the audio cable port 102 via the L/R
amplifiers 124a and 124b. The relay 112 performs a path switching
operation, such that it transmits the analog audio signal generated
from the pickup selection unit 110 to the audio cable port 102, and
outputs the analog audio signal to the outside.
[0034] The amplifier 112 is connected to the relay 112 and the ADC
116, and amplifies the analog audio signal received from the relay
112. The ADC 116 is connected to the amplifier 114 and the signal
processor 118, and converts the analog signal into a digital
signal. Typically, the ADC 116 converts a mono-analog audio signal
into a mono-digital signal.
[0035] The signal processor 118 is connected to the ADC 116 and the
DAC 122. The signal processor 118 receives the digital audio signal
from the ADC 116, converts the received digital audio signal into
another audio signal according to the prescribed USB transfer
standard, and outputs the resultant audio signal to the PC 200.
Otherwise, the signal processor 118 receives the audio signal
suitable for the USB transfer standard from the PC 220, converts
the received audio signal into a digital audio signal, and
transmits the digital audio signal to the DAC 122.
[0036] The interface unit 120 is connected to the signal processor
118 and the USB port 104. The interface unit 120 receives parallel
data suitable for the USB transfer standard from the signal
processor 118, stores the received parallel data in a buffer,
converts the stored parallel data into serial data, and transmits
the serial data. Otherwise, the interface unit 120 converts the
serial data received from an external part into parallel data, and
transmits the parallel data to the signal processor 118.
[0037] The USB port 104 is connected to the rear end of the
interface unit 120, and is connected to the USB cable connector
402, such that it transmits an audio signal received from the
interface unit 120 to the PC 200 via the USB cable connector
402.
[0038] The DAC 122 is connected to the signal processor 118 and the
L/R amplifiers 124a and 124b, receives two parallel digital audio
data via the signal processor, converts the received parallel
digital audio data into stereo analog audio data, and outputs the
stereo analog audio data to the L/R amplifiers 124a and 124b.
[0039] The L/R amplifiers 124a and 124b are connected to the DAC
122, the relay 112, and the audio cable port 102, and amplify the
analog audio signal. One channel signal from among stereo analog
audio signals received from the DAC 122 is transmitted to the audio
cable port 102 via the relay 112, and the other channel signal is
directly transmitted to the audio cable port 102.
[0040] Therefore, the analog audio signal generated from the
electronic guitar 100 is converted into a digital audio signal via
the USB guitar module 106 of the electronic guitar 100, and at the
same time the digital audio signal is signal-processed to be
suitable for the USB standard. As a result, the USB guitar module
106 transmits the resultant audio signal to the PC 200, can apply
the resultant audio signal to a variety of application programs
stored in the PC 200, and can output the resultant audio signal via
a speaker of the PC 200.
[0041] Also, the USB guitar module 106 receives a mixed/edited
signal from the PC 200, and performs signal processing on the
received mixed/edited signal, such that it can output the
signal-processed resultant signal to the outside via the headphone
and speaker 300 connected to the electronic guitar 100. As a
result, the USB guitar module 106 receives pre-stored audio signals
of other guitars from the PC 200, outputs the received audio
signals, at the same time receives the played signal of the
electronic guitar 100, and stores the played signal of the
electronic guitar 100 in the PC 200 in real time.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a Personal Computer
(PC) contained in an audio I/O system for use in a guitar equipped
with a USB interface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, the PC 200 contained in the audio I/O
system of a guitar equipped with the USB interface according to the
present invention includes a USB port 202, an interface unit 204, a
USB controller 206, a USB audio drive 208, a data initialize unit
210, and an audio signal processor 212.
[0044] The USB port 202 is contained in the PC 200, is connected to
the USB cable connector 402, receives an audio signal in the PC 200
via the USB cable connector 402, or transmits an internal signal of
the PC 200 to the electronic guitar 100 via the USB cable connector
402.
[0045] The interface unit (HAL) 204 acts as a virtual interface
connected to the USB port 202 and the USB controller 206, such that
it can communicate with Operating Systems (OSs) of different
hardware architectures. In more detail, the interface unit 204
allows the signal received from the interface unit 204 to be
recognized by the USB controller 206, and transmits the signal
received from the USB controller 206 to the USB port 202.
[0046] The USB controller 206 is connected to the interface unit
(HAL) 204 and the USB audio drive 208, and converts an audio signal
received from the USB port 202 into a signal usable in a kernel.
Otherwise, the USB controller 206 transmits a signal used in the
kernel into other signal according to the USB transfer
standard.
[0047] The USB audio drive 208 is connected to the USB controller
206 and the data initialize unit 210, converts the signal usable in
the kernel level into an audio signal usable in a user level, or
converts the audio signal usable in the user level into the signal
usable in the kernel level.
[0048] The data initialize unit 210 (UG-1 ASIO Drive) is connected
to the USB audio drive 208 and the audio signal processor 212,
initializes the audio signal according to the international audio
application standard, and converts data suitable for the
international audio application into an audio signal, such that the
number of audio channels, an execution frequency, and a buffer size
are defined by the data initialize unit 210 (UG-1 ASIO Drive).
[0049] The audio signal processor 212 is connected to the data
initialize unit 210 (UG-1 ASIO Drive), and converts the audio data
received from the data initialize unit 210 (UG-1 ASIO Drive).
Therefore, the audio signal processor 212 tunes musical sound
characteristics of the audio data, records/stores the audio data,
reproduces the stored audio data, converts the stored audio data,
and transmits the resultant audio data to the above-mentioned data
initialize unit 210 (UG-1 ASIO Drive).
[0050] The audio signal processor 212 can employ a variety of
application programs stored in the PC 200, and can output the
resultant audio signal via the speaker of the PC 200. Also, the
audio signal processor 212 receives the mixed/edited signal from
the PC 200, performs signal processing on the received signal,
outputs the resultant signal to the outside via the headphone and
speaker 300 connected to the electronic guitar 100. Also, the audio
signal processor 212 outputs the audio signal pre-stored in the PC
200 to the outside via the headphone and speaker 300 connected to
the electronic guitar 100, at the same time receives the played
signal of the electronic guitar 100, and stores the played signal
of the electronic guitar 100 in the PC 200 in real time.
[0051] Functions and operations of the audio I/O system for use in
the guitar equipped with the USB interface according to the present
invention will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG.
4.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an audio I/O system for
use in a guitar equipped with a USB interface in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, the audio I/O system for use in the
guitar equipped with the USB interface according to the present
invention includes the steps of: ST-100) converting a signal of the
electronic guitar 100 into other signal suitable for the USB
standard, and transmitting the converted signal to the PC 200;
ST-200) converting the guitar's audio signal received from the PC
200 into another audio signal usable in an application program;
ST-300) editing, mixing, and storing the audio signal using the
application program stored in the PC 200; ST-400) transmitting
audio data processed by the PC 200 to the electronic guitar 100;
and ST-500) outputting the audio signal received in the electronic
guitar 100 via an external output unit (e.g., a speaker or a
headphone) of the electronic guitar 100.
[0054] The above-mentioned step (ST-100) which converts the audio
signal of the electronic guitar 100 according to the USB standard
and transmits the converted signal to the PC 200 includes the steps
of: converting variations in a magnetic field signal caused by
string vibration of the guitar into an analog audio signal;
transmitting the analog audio signal into the relay 112 contained
in the USB guitar module 106; and transmitting the resultant audio
signal to the amplifier 114 according to the switching of the relay
112.
[0055] The amplifier 114 amplifies the analog audio signal received
from the relay 112 to the ADC 116. The ADC 116 converts the analog
signal received from the amplifier 114 to the digital signal.
[0056] The digital signal is applied to the signal processor 118.
The signal processor 118 converts the digital audio signal received
from the ADC 116 into another audio signal according to the USB
transfer standard, and transmits the resultant audio signal to the
interface unit 120. The interface unit 120 receives parallel data
suitable for the USB transfer standard from the signal processor
118, stores the received parallel data in the buffer, converts the
stored parallel data into serial data, and transmits the serial
data.
[0057] The USB port 104 receives the serial data, and transmits the
received serial data to the PC 200 via the USB cable connector
402.
[0058] The above-mentioned step (ST-200) for converting the
guitar's audio signal received from the PC 200 into another audio
signal usable in an application program, and the above-mentioned
step (ST-300) for editing, mixing, and storing the audio signal
using the application program stored in the PC 200 are executed by
the PC 200, and their detailed descriptions will hereinafter be
described in detail.
[0059] The PC 200 receives a signal received from the electronic
guitar 100 via the USB port 202, and transmits the received signal
to the interface unit (HAL) 204, such that the interface unit (HAL)
204 communicates with Operating Systems (OSs) of different hardware
architectures and transmits the signal to the USB controller
206.
[0060] The USB controller 206 receives the signal suitable for the
USB transfer standard from the interface unit (HAL) 204, converts
the received signal into the signal usable in the kernel, and
transmits the converted signal to the USB audio drive 208.
[0061] The USB audio drive 208 receives the signal usable in the
kernel level from the USB controller 206, and converts the received
signal into an audio signal usable in the user level. The data
initialize unit (UG-1 ASIO Drive) 210 initializes the audio signal
according to the international audio application standard.
[0062] The audio signal processor 212 converts the audio data
received from the data initialize unit (UG-1 ASIO Drive) 210 into
another audio data, such that it tunes musical sound
characteristics of the audio data, records/stores the audio data,
reproduces the stored audio data, and converts the stored audio
data.
[0063] In the meantime, the above-mentioned step (ST-400) for
transmitting audio data processed by the PC 200 to the electronic
guitar 100, and the above-mentioned step (ST-500) for outputting
the audio signal received in the electronic guitar 100 via an
external output unit (e.g., a speaker or a headphone) connected to
the electronic guitar 100 are executed in a reverse order of the
above-mentioned processes, and the signal conversion results of the
steps ST-400 and ST-500 are transmitted to the signal processor 118
of the electronic guitar 100. The signal generated from the signal
processor 118 receives parallel digital audio data via the DAC 122,
converts the received parallel digital audio data into stereo
analog audio data, and outputs two-channel analog audio data to the
L/R amplifiers 124a and 124b.
[0064] In this case, the signal transmitted from the audio signal
processor 212 of the PC 220 to the data initialize unit 210 is not
equal to an audio signal of a currently-playing electronic guitar
100. Other pre-stored audio signals of other electronic guitars can
also be transmitted to the data initialize unit 210, and can be
processed by the data initialize unit 210. In this case, the audio
signal processor 212 outputs the audio signal stored in the PC 200
to the outside, at the same time receives the played signal of the
electronic guitar 100, and can store the played signal in the PC
200 in real time.
[0065] The L/R amplifiers 124a and 124b having received the
two-channel analog audio data amplify the analog audio signal, and
transmit one channel signal to the audio cable port 102 via the
relay 112, directly transmit the other channel signal to the audio
cable port 102, and output the corresponding audio signal via the
speaker 300 or headphone acting as an external output unit
connected to the electronic guitar 100.
[0066] In the meantime, the audio signal picked up by the
electronic guitar 100 (i.e., the analog audio signal picked up by
the signal pickup unit 108) is not transmitted to the PC 200, and
can be directly transmitted to the external output unit (e.g., the
speaker or headphone) via the audio cable port 102.
[0067] Therefore, the analog audio signal generated from the
electronic guitar 100 by the USB guitar module 106 of the
electronic guitar 100 is converted into the digital audio signal,
and at the same time is signal-processed to be suitable for the USB
standard. As a result, the corresponding audio signal is
transmitted to the PC 200, is applied to a variety of application
programs stored in the PC 200, and can also be outputted via the
speaker of the PC 200. Also, the audio I/O system for use in the
guitar according to the present invention receives the mixed/edited
signal from the PC 200, performs signal processing on the received
signal, outputs the signal-processed resultant signal to the
outside via the headphone or speaker 300 connected to the
electronic guitar 100, outputs other audio signals pre-stored in
the PC 200, at the same time receives the played signal of the
electronic guitar 100, and can store the played signal in the PC
200 in real time.
[0068] In the meantime, the audio I/O system and method for use in
the guitar equipped with the USB interface according to the present
invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and is
also applicable to other examples without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention.
[0069] As apparent from the above description, the audio I/O system
and method for use in the guitar equipped with the USB interface
according to the present invention converts an analog audio signal
generated from an electronic guitar into a digital audio signal
using a USB guitar module of the electronic guitar, performs signal
processing on the digital audio signal according to the USB
standard, transmits the signal-processed resultant signal to a
Personal Computer (PC), can employ a variety of application
programs stored in the PC, and can also output the corresponding
audio signal to the outside via a speaker of the PC. Also, the
audio I/O system receives the mixed/edited signal from the PC,
performs signal processing on the received signal, can output the
corresponding signal to the outside via the headphone or speaker,
can allow the PC to output pre-stored audio signals of other
guitars, at the same time can play the electronic guitar, and can
store the played signal in the PC in real time.
[0070] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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